-
Animal Farm
The animals of Manor Farm have revolted and taken over. Upon the death of Old Major, pigs Snowball and Napoleon lead a revolt against Mr. Jones, driving him from the farm. The animals embrace the Seven Commandments of Animalism and life carries on, but they learn that a farm ruled by animals looks more human than ever.
Challenges:
Political and ideological reasons
- Anti-communist allegory: The book is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and Stalinism, and its strong criticism of communist systems led to its ban in the Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea, and China.
- Promotes rebellion: Some challenges stem from the book’s theme of revolution and a mass revolt against authority, which can be seen as a call to overthrow existing states.
Religious and cultural reasons
- Islamic values: In some countries with Islamic majorities, such as the United Arab Emirates, the book has been banned for including content that contradicts local values, such as depictions of pigs and alcoholic drinks.
Other reasons
- Perceived propaganda: The book’s anti-authoritarian stance has led to it being labeled as propaganda in some contexts.
- Classroom challenges: In the United States, it has faced challenges in schools over its themes of rebellion and political theories.
-
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
In 1942, as Nazis occupied Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the secret upstairs rooms of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death.
In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, Anne’s account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short.
Challenges:
The Diary of Anne Frank is not banned outright, but certain versions, particularly a newer uncensored edition and the graphic novel adaptation, have been challenged and removed from some schools and libraries due to passages describing sexual desires and other “graphic” content.
- Controversial passages: Specific editions include passages about Anne Frank’s emerging sexual desires, unflattering descriptions of others, and, in the case of the graphic novel, a scene where she asks a friend to expose themselves.
- “Graphic” content: Opponents have referred to these passages as “graphic” or “pornographic” and inappropriate for younger students.
- Pushback: Proponents of the book argue that banning it is a missed opportunity to teach about the Holocaust and the experiences of adolescence. They also highlight that the book, in its full context, provides a realistic view of growing up during wartime.
- Broader censorship trend: The challenges are often seen as part of a larger trend of book bans and censorship in the United States, which frequently targets works that discuss race, gender, and sexuality.
-
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
From Amazon:
About three things I was certain.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him, and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be, that thirsted for my blood.
And Third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
Isabella Swan’s move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife, between desire and danger.
Deeply sensuous and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.
Challenges and Bans:
- Common reasons for banning:
- Sexually explicit content: Critics have cited the “sexual and racy” content as inappropriate for young readers.
- Age-inappropriateness: Some have argued the series is not suitable for its younger readers, even though the books are often marketed to young adults.
- Violence: The books contain violence, which some have argued is not suitable for younger audiences.
- Religious viewpoint: Concerns have been raised about the series’ religious themes and how they might be perceived by young readers.
- Other issues: Some critics have also pointed to depictions of relationship abuse, anti-feminism, failed parenting, prejudice, and eating disorders.
- Examples of challenges:
- The series ranked fifth on the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books in 2009, according to bbark.deepforestproductions.com.
- In September 2008, the books were temporarily removed from middle-school libraries in the Capistrano Unified School District in California.
- In September 2009, Twilight was banned from a library at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, Australia, for being “too racy.”
- Common reasons for banning:
-
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
At the dawn of the next world war, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate. This far from civilization they can do anything they want. Anything. But as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far removed from reality as the hope of being rescued.
Challenges and Bans:
- Violence and brutality: The novel contains graphic depictions of violence, including hunting, bullying, and murder, which some find inappropriate for a school setting.
- Pessimistic view of human nature: Critics argue the book implies that humans are inherently evil or animalistic, a message some find demoralizing and unacceptable to teach.
- Profanity and “lurid passages”: The book has been challenged for its use of profanity and what some describe as “lurid passages about sex”.
- Racism and other “isms”: The novel’s language and themes have been called racist, while other critics point to alleged misogynistic and ableist implications.
- Controversial scenes: Specific scenes, such as the brutal killing of the sow and its piglets, are often cited as examples of the book’s disturbing content.
-
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
From Amazon:
The first book in Dav Pilkey’s megabest-selling Captain Underpants series, now available in SoundORama!
Fourth graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins are a couple of class clowns. The only thing they enjoy more than playing practical jokes is creating their own comic books. And together they’ve created the greatest superhero in the history of their elementary school: Captain Underpants! His true identity is SO secret, even HE doesn’t know who he is!
The Captain Underpants series is perfect for listeners of all ages. Like the other outrageously funny books by acclaimed author and Caldecott Honor illustrator Dav Pilkey, this adventure is sure to be hours of fun!
Challenges and Bans:
- Offensive language: Some versions of the books have been challenged for using what some consider offensive language.
- Partial nudity: The main character, Captain Underpants, wears only briefs and a cape, which has led to complaints about partial nudity.
- Violence: The series has been challenged for violence, though the author argues the level of violence is comparable to superhero cartoons.
- Disruptive behavior and questioning authority: Some have claimed the books encourage children to be disruptive and question authority, based on the premise of two mischievous schoolchildren.
- Unsuited for age group: The series has been challenged for being inappropriate for its target age group.
- Same-sex couple: A book in the series was challenged for featuring a same-sex married couple.
- Racist imagery: A spin-off book, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, was pulled by the publisher after the author acknowledged it contained “passively racist imagery” despite the intent to promote diversity.